Hydraulic gin breast lift



Oct. 20, 1953 w. L. FORD HYDRAULIC GIN BREAST LIFT Filed July 3, 1950 Inventor WISE L F020,

5 J i a 24 Attorneys the roll box where a fine combing process is conducted by the saw teeth as they pass through the seed roll and the gin ribs. When most of the fiber is taken from the seeds they are allowed to drop between the saws in the space defined by the gin ribs and the huller ribs.

From the drawings it will be seen that by pivoting the main breast I6 so that the lower end swings outwardly away from the inner breast, a space is created between the row of ginning ribs and the row of gin saws. In fact the gin ribs, which have been interspersed between the gin saws, have been withdrawn therefrom. The workman may then carry out his task of clearing the machine.

I also provide a tie rod III which has one of its ends pivotally connected to the lower end of the main breast as at 2. The rod inclines upwardly away from pivot point I I2 and is adapted to be connected to any conventional feeder mechanism for controlling the flow of the cotton into the gin. In other words when the breast is swung outwardly rod III is adapted to cut off the flow of material. When the breast swings inwardly, the flow of material is begun.

' ed to extend longitudinally in substantially a horizontal plane. Interiorly of the cylinder, a piston member 29 is adapted to be slidably received.

A piston rod 30 is connected centrally of said piston and extends through a central aperture in end plate 3|. The end of rod 30 which is exterior of the cylinder is adapted to be removably connected to the lower end portion 32 of the main breast IS. The connecting means includes an L-shaped member 33 having one of its legs lying on the surface of the breast and rigidly secured thereto. The other leg of member 33 extends outwardly perpendicular from the breast and is furnished with an aperture to receive the exterior end of rod 30. This exterior and is provided with threads so that a nut 35 can be positioned thereon spaced from the end. The end of the rod is then slidably received by the aperture in member 33 and a nut 34 is adapted to then secure the parts together.

The power transfer cylinder 24 is adapted to be mounted in a vertical position in any convenient location. Both ends of the cylinder are closed, and slidably received within the cylinder intermediate its ends, is a piston-like member 36. The position of this portion will vary depending on certain conditions which will be described in detail as the description proceeds.

An aperture is provided in one end of cylinder 26 and is provided with interior threads adapted to receive the threaded coupling member 31 mounted on one end of a length of copper tubing 36. The other end of this tubing is adapted to be received in an aperture in the lower end of the power transfer cylinder. At some convenient location intermediate the ends of tubing 33 a flow control valve 39 of conventional make is provided. By furnishing the line between the power transfer cylinder with a valve such as this, it is possible to regulate to a high degree the A rate at which the hydraulic cylinder 23 pivots the main breast outwardly. Also valve 39 may be closed when the breast is in a raised position thereby locking the breast against movement. This is for the safety of workmen.

The portion of power transfer cylinder 24 which is below piston 36 is filled with a suitable hydraulic liquid, as is the copper tubing 38. The space between piston 29, in cylinder 26, and the end of the cylinder connected to the tubing 36, is also filled with this liquid. Thus any force exerted downwardly on the upper face of piston 36 results in forcing fluid from the lower portion of the cylinder 26. A force is then exerted on piston 29 causing the main breast to be pivoted outwardly about the pins I611.

The upper portion of cylinder 24 is adapted to contain compressed air which is supplied from compressor 25. The compressor is seen to comprise a tank 40 mounted on legs 4|. A platform 42 is provided atop the tank for supporting a pump 43 which receives its power through a V- belt, illustrated by the numeral 44, from a motor 45. The motor is preferably of the internal combustion type although it will be understood that any type desired may be used. A length of copper tubing or other suitable fluid line 46 is provided, one of its ends being secured to the compressor in communication with tank 40, the other end being secured to the upper end of cylinder 24 in communication therewith.

In order to control the flow of air through line 46, I provide an electrically operated valve 41 including a solenoid 48 for purposes of actuating the valve. Mounted in the line between the compressor and valve 41 is a T-coupling 49. A similar T-coupling 50 is mounted in the line between valve 41 and cylinder 24. A by-pass line is utilized to connect these T-couplings, there being mounted in the line a three-way valve 52. The fluid in line 5| is adapted to pass through one passage in the three-way valve. A hand operated control arm 53 is provided for this valve and is pivoted to a central portion thereof.

An exhaust line 54 is connected into the upper portion of cylinder 24 and extends to a convenient location for discharge, the discharge end being illustrated by numeral 55. Mounted in the line between the discharge end and cylinder 24 is an electrically operated valve 56 controlled by the solenoid 51. Arranged in the line on one side of this latter valve is a T-coupling 53 and on the other side thereof a T-coupling 59 is provided. A by-pass line 60 is connected with each of these couplings and has mounted therein the three-way valve 52. This particular by-pass line is so connected to valve 52 that it will utilize the other passage therein.

Perhaps a brief explanation of this three-way valve will more clearly show the type of control over the by-pass lines 5| and 60 which is desired. The interior of the valve is arranged with a pair of passages, each of the by-pass lines being connected to a different one of these passages. By rotating the handle member 53 compressed air will be allowed to flow through line 5| but not through line 60. Or, vice versa, in another pm sition of the arm, compressed air will flow through line 60, but not line 5|. Thirdly, the arm can be positioned where the fluid will not flow in either of lines 5| or 60.

Mounted in line 54 between the T-coupling 53 and cylinder 24 is a flow control valve of conventiona1 design, similar to valve 39. In this manner the rate of air discharge can be con- 'trdlled to regulate the closing speed-"of the-huller breast. I

The electric circuit control "means includes a switch which-is-fo'r the purpose-of controllin an indiVi'duaI gin standconnected therewith. As shown, a spring biased-controlbutton 'lI having wires 12 and '13 is connected to solenoid 48 of valve "1-1. 'A second spring biased -:control button 1 4 -has wires 15 and "16 connecting it to solenoid '51 of valve 56. This -swit'ch may be provided wi-th'power from a regular 110 v. A.-'C.'supply iii-any conventional manner. When-the button H is pressed solenoid 48 is actuated thereby opening the normally closed valve 41 permitting compressed air to flow therethrough into the system. W hen the breast reaches I a desiredrposi- -"tion the button is released 'andth'e breast'is-locked in its prese'ntposition. To lower the breastxbut- -ton l-'4 "is pressed Ito openvalve 5B. This permits the compressed air in the system to exhaust. The

"master'switch may beused each time a bale of cotton is ginn'e'd, or in-the event the'eritir system -is to be started or stopped. The individual stand swit'ch is for the :purpose oflstopping .or

starting according to theindividual need of each stand, such as for the purposeof 'cleaningout 'only one stand orto stop the operation ofea stand to put out a fire therein.

"The detailed operation of: my invention is very simple. *closed position,that' is,' -'with the ginning and hulliiig ribsdisposed betweenLthe gin sawsbutton H =is actuated. When valve 41 is opened compressed air from thewompressor flows into the upper-half of cylinder l24 and forces the pistonlike member- 516 downwardlyforcing fluid through tribe 38 andin turnpushing piston 29'forwardly "causing the -breast to .swing outwardly about pivot I Ga. Whenidesired tswing of :thebreast is reached'the button is released. -As the breast swings out the rod I H is 'actuated tocut off the fiowofmaterials into the gin. iThetparticular 'feeding' machine does notform' a necessary part of -the present invention other thantohave its flow' controlled: bythe tie rod. When the neces- "sary operation is completed'linthe stand it is but "necessary -to press button 1-4 energizing :solenoid .i'l 'v'lh'ich 'opens valve ili. This allows :theicom- '"pres'sed air to flow out :of cylinder rflzand the weight a of Zthe zouter I breast causes it I to I again conic "to 1 its closed position. :As the :breast be- "comes closed rod Hl operatesto open the "material feeding deviceand'the' ginningrprocess begins. Thensolenoid @is :de-energized'by releasing button 14 and the apparatus is ready for ,p

another-dumping when desired.

In the event of electric failure which sometimes results the" three-way hand "operated :valve. :may perform -the': task rof the electrically controlled valves.

-Wliile I have shownand described a preferred form-of' my invention; it will be understood that -variations in details of form may be made without departure from" the-"invention a defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a cotton gin having a breast pivotally connected on a gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, and means for creating a fluid pressure in said cylinder forcing said piston in a direction towards said breast for swinging said breast outwardly away from the stand.

Beginning with the mainbreast in its In a cotton gin 'having s. breast :pivotally connected on a Y gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected ito said I stand, a piston sslidably received .-in=said :cylinder, ap'iston rod connecting r-saidipiston and said breast, and a i-pressure generating :system for treating a pressure in sa'id icylinder forcing the piston towards said breast for swinging ithe breast about its pivot outwardly away fromsa'id stand.

3. In :a cotton tgin thaviing a :breast pivotally connected on a gin stand, a threat llifting device comprising an :hydraulic lcylinder :connected to said stand, a piston slidably zreceived in said cylinder, :a piston rrod aconnecting said :piston and --*said :breast, and a pressure "generating sys- "tem for creating a pressure insaidmylinderiform ing the piston towards :sai'd breast "for a swinging the breast about: its fipivot outwardly :away :from sa-id stand, said :-pressure generating system zincluding a source-of compressed :air supply rand control means :for regulating i -the pressure iin "said cylinder.

4. In a cotton -ginfhaving :2. breast :pivota'lly connected on a gin stand, a :breast;1if.ting.:devioe comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected it!) said stand, '-'a piston slidably -receivedi in;said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said outer breast, :and .a pressure 6 generat- =ing=system for creating wpressure in saidzcylin- "der forcing *the piston stewards said zbreast :tfor swinging =the breast about its rpivot outwardly -=-a-way from said stand, :said pressurevgenerating system includinga fiow control valve for regulating the speed of breastrswinging.

5. In a cotton gin i having a a breast :pivotally *connected *on -a tgin s'tand, a breast ilifting idevicecomprising '--an* hydraulic: cylinderuconnected -to saidstan'd, =a=piston:slidably received in said cylinder, a =piston rod connecting wsa-id :piston and i said breastwand means ."for creatingl-a r-fluid pressure i in 'sai'd cylinder f forcing. sai'd' piston :iin a direction towards said *lbreastfon swinging isa'id "breast outwardly away from said stand, :sald

means including a power transfer cylirfiderz for receiving compressed :air and converting said ""airintoa liquidpressure in the first mentioned -icylinder.

6. "In a-cotton gin P having =:a"; breast tpivotally connected on a gin-stand, abreastliftingdevice comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected :to

said stand, "a piston slidably received in. said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and 'said-breast'a source of compressed air supply,

a power transfer I cylinder having one portion "thereof in communication with said compressed air supply, the other-portion of said power trans- *fer 'cylinderbeing filled with" a hydraulic liquid and having communication \ivith said hydraulic cylinder; a piston slidably mounted in th power tran'sfer cylinder between the compressed :air portion and the liquid portion for converting said i compressed air into a liquid -pressure for draulic liquid and having communication with said hydraulic cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the power transfer cylinder between the compressed air portion and the liquid portion for converting said compressed air into a liq uid pressure for actuating the piston connected to the breast for swinging said breast outwardly about its pivot, and means mounting in the communicating line between said compressed air source and said power transfer cylinder for regulating the flow of air therethrough.

8. In a cotton gin having a breast pivotally connected on a gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, a power transfer cylinder having the lower portion thereof filled with a hydraulic fluid, means providing communication between said lower portion and said hydraulic cylinder, a source of compressed air connected to the upper portion of said power transfer cylinder, a piston slidably received in the last mentioned cylinder separating the hydraulic fluid and the compressed air, an exhaust for said upper portion, and means for controlling the flow of compressed air into and out of said upper portion.

9. In a cotton gin having a breast pivotally connected on a gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, a power transfer cylinder having the lower portion thereof filled with a hydraulic fluid, means providing communication between said lower portion and said hydraulic cylinder, a source of compressed air connected to the upper portion of said power transfer cylinder, a piston slidably received in the last mentioned cylinder separating the hydraulic fluid and the compressed air, an exhaust for said upper portion, and an electrically controlled valve mounted in the compressed air supply line and exhaust line.

10. In a cotton gin having a breast pivotally connected on a, gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, a power transfer cylinder having the lower portion thereof filled with a hydraulic fluid, means providing communication between said lower portion and said hydraulic cylinder, a source of compressed air connected to the upper portion of said power transfer cylinder, a piston slidably received in the last mentioned cylinder separating the hydraulic fluid and the compressed air, an exhaust for said upper portion, and means for controlling the flow of compressed air into and out of said upper portion, said means including an electrically controlled valve mounted in the compressed air supply line and exhaust line.

11. In a cotton gin having a breast pivotally connected on a gin stand, a breast lifting device comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, a power transfer cylinder having the lower portion thereof filled with a hydraulic fluid, means providing communication between said lower portion and said hydraulic cylinder, a source of compressed air connected to the upper portion of said power transfer cylinder, 8. piston slidably received in the last mentioned cylinder separating the hydraulic fluid and the compressed air, an exhaust for said upper portion, an electrically controlled valve mounted in the compressed air supply line and exhaust line, a bypass line for each of said valves, and each of said bypass lines being connected to a three-way valve for controlling the flow of air therethrough.

12. In a cotton gin having a breast movably mounted on a gin stand, a device for moving said breast outwardly from the stand, comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, and means for creating a fluid pressure in said cylinder forcing said piston in a direction toward said breast for moving said breast outwardly away from the stand.

13.1n a cotton gin having gin saws and a breast movably mounted on a gin stand, a device for moving said breast outwardly from said stand and said saws, comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, and a pressure generating system for creating a pressure in said cylinder forcing the piston toward said breast for moving the breast outwardly away from said stand and said saws.

14. In a cotton gin having gin saws and a breast movably mounted on a gin stand, a device for moving said breast outwardly of said stand and said saws, comprising an hydraulic cylinder connected to said stand, a piston slidably received in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting said piston and said breast, and a pressure generating system for creating a pressure in said cylinder forcing said piston toward said breast for moving the breast outwardly from said stand and from said saws, said pressure generating system including a flow control valve for regulating the speed of breast movement.

WISE L. FORD.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,688 Reynders et a1. Aug. 12, 1902 738,370 Stanley Sept. 8, 1903 2,090,543 McClintock Aug. 1'7, 1937 

